Hi Andy, you’re one of 13 kids. What number are you?
I’m number 11. I am now an uncle 143 times over with all the grand, great, and great-great grandkids.
Wow, that is a lot of nieces and nephews! Can you tell me a bit about what you’ve done for work over the years?
I grew up in Castlemaine and when I left school at 16 I went and worked as an apprentice baker at Preece’s Bakery. We were taught by the very last of the old blokes. We’d do the bread moulding by hand and there were no pre-mix cakes. I worked there for five years. My party trick is to whip up a batch of chocolate eclairs.
After that, I cooked at the hospital for eight years, and then in 1982 I went out to work for myself in earthmoving. I called the business AJ Chapman Pty Ltd and girls for my wife Kath and daughters Leah and Lana.
Walking into your home there are a pair of brigade overalls hanging in the entry and the CFA scanner is providing background noise in the kitchen – can you tell me about your involvement with the brigade?
It’s just a way of life. My mum, dad, and big brothers were all CFA. It was like a backbone you grew up with – it was always there. In the early days, I lived at the station. I joined in 1969 when I was 14 years old.
Kath, myself, and my daughter Leah have clocked up over 100 years worth of hours between us. There’s something really special about going to a job with your family, although it does put them in the line of fire.
What’s one of the most memorable fires you’ve seen?
I was up in Buckland Valley during the 2003 fires and saw fire behaviour I’ve never seen before.
I read a story about the 1939 fires, there was an inquiry that took place after the town was obliterated and three separate townspeople said they’d seen a huge ball of fire in the sky. They investigated and found this it was caused by gases gathering above the fire.
I witnessed it myself in 03′. The fire had come up and ran through the treetops, pushing the gas in front and by the top of the hill and there was a ball of flame the size of a football field about 300-400 metres above the ground. I gotta be honest, I feel blessed to have seen it – it was amazing stuff.
How did you meet your lovely wife Kath?
I was working at Mt Macedon after the fires and it’s a bit of a cold place so I went to the shoe shop in Gisborne to get some fur-lined boots and there was this little chick in there with the biggest eyes.
I think I’d bought a pair of gumboots, desert boots, and slip-on shoes before I asked her out! I took her for coffee and I only had $2 in my wallet and I thanked God she didn’t want another coffee!
That’s so funny! With work, the brigade, and family do you have time for any other interests?
I’ve got a 1969 HT Holden. I bought it in 1973 and had a bad smash in 76′ and sold it off. I found it behind someone’s house in 99′ – bought it back and spent six years rebuilding. There’s still a few blokes around who would remember me hooning around Castlemaine back in the day. Hubert the HT is the second love of my life.
What music do you enjoy?
60s – I just love it – Dusty Springfield and Silver Black.
What philosophy do you live life by?
Head down, arse up.
Finally, what do you love most about the place you call home?
There’s a lot to love – the hot rod/car scene and there’s lots of characters around.
